Glasgow Rangers are eyeing a “tremendous” young manager as Russell Martin’s successor at Ibrox, with the free agent coach now seen as an option alongside the heavily linked former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.
Rohl emerges as early Ibrox candidate
The Gers are on the lookout for their next boss, following the sacking of Martin over the weekend, in a decision that felt like it had been coming for a while.
The 39-year-old simply didn’t perform to the level many Rangers fans expected when he was appointed during the summer, with Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership leaving them 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts, and eighth in the table.
Unsurprisingly, plenty of names are already being thrown around as possible replacements for Martin, including the former Sheffield Wednesday manager, who is currently without a club. Rohl is reportedly admired by those high up at Rangers, but would be another gamble on a young, inexperienced boss.
In terms of a more experienced head, Sean Dyche has also been linked with the now vacant Ibrox dugout, with the ex-Everton boss proving himself in the Premier League for many years, and he’s not the only Englishman in the mix.
Rangers keen on Gerrard after McCoist show of support
According to a report from talkSPORT, Rangers are eyeing a potential reunion with Steven Gerrard alongside their admiration for Rohl, seeing the Liverpool legend as an alternative option to the German. The 45-year-old famously won the Scottish Premiership title with the Gers back in 2020/21, instantly making him a hero, although his exit to Aston Villa didn’t go down too well at the time.
Gerrard is represented by the Wasserman group, who manage top coaches like Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe. And a move back to Rangers certainly feels like a good option, with the former Liverpool midfielder already knowing the club well, not to mention delivering success.
His former assistant at Al-Ettifaq, Dean Holden, even revealed he would “pay” to work under the 45 year-old because of how he sees the game: “Steven Gerrard sees the game differently, as his assistant I learned so much. He empowered me to be creative and come up with ideas, to challenge him. He’s a really generous guy and I am grateful for the opportunity – I felt like I got five years of experience from him in a year.
“In any other industry, you would pay for the experiences I had. If you were a doctor, you’d pay to go and observe the best brain surgeon in the world.”
Granted, his managerial career hasn’t necessarily progressed hugely since that spell in Saudi Arabia, but former Gers hero Ally McCoist lauded him after the aforementioned title win four years ago.
“I have got to say a tremendous job by Steven and Gary and Michael and indeed most of all the players. It has been a truly remarkable season when you look at the stats, lads. You look at the performances – they’ve lost one game – a League Cup tie in the last minute to St Mirren, They’ve won 28 out of 32 league games and drawn four.”
Rangers fans are sure to be divided over who they want to see come in, but whatever happens, those high up at the club cannot afford to rush that person and bring in the wrong person. Philippe Clement struggled in charge and Martin was even more disappointing, and the Gers must avoid past errors when it comes to hiring.